More from Football

Messina sack Giordano again

By Nadia Carminati

Messina have sacked coach Bruno Giordano for the second time this season.

Messina have sacked coach Bruno Giordano for the second time this season.

Club president Pietro Franza took the decision following the side's 3-1 defeat to Sampdoria on Saturday, which leaves the club eight points adrift of safety in Serie A.

Giordano was first dismissed at the end of January when the club went 12 games without a victory but, after his replacement Alberto Cavasin failed to impress in his first eight games, Giordano was reinstated.

However, Messina lost every one of their four games with Giordano back in charge and have again dispensed with his services, little more than three weeks after he was reappointed.

Veteran coach Bruno Bolchi has been installed as caretaker manager until the end of the season, and admits he could not resist the chance to return to the club despite their current predicament.

"I couldn't say no to Messina," he told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"It's not only a professional thing: had there been a different situation, I would have considered returning many times in the past.

"More than escaping relegation, this is a matter of men's dignity. These players must show me they are real men."

Messina escaped relegation last season when Juventus were relegated following the Calciopoli trial.